Held in Chicago and dubbed “Uproar on the Lakeshore,” the 2010 WFTDA Championships brought another thrilling chapter to flat track roller derby. The event featured the top 12 teams from the four WFTDA regions—North Central, South Central, East, and West—vying for national dominance and derby’s most coveted title. Here is the 2010 WFTDA Championship Recap for you.
“Skating is a dance of strength and grace.”
The Championship Bout: Rocky Mountain vs. Oly Rollers
The final bout between Rocky Mountain Rollergirls and Oly Rollers is widely remembered as one of the most intense and dramatic matches in derby history. Both teams entered the tournament with undefeated records and well-deserved reputations.
In a match that went down to the final jam, Rocky Mountain edged past Oly with a 147–146 win, claiming their first-ever WFTDA Championship. The crowd erupted as the final whistle confirmed one of the narrowest victories ever recorded at this level.
Top Four Final Standings
- 🥇 Rocky Mountain Rollergirls (Denver, CO)
- 🥈 Oly Rollers (Olympia, WA)
- 🥉 Gotham Girls Roller Derby (New York, NY)
- 🏅 Philly Roller Girls (Philadelphia, PA)
Tournament Highlights
- Jammer duels between Oly’s Atomatrix and Rocky Mountain’s Frida Beater kept fans on edge.
- Gotham’s third-place finish reaffirmed their consistency after a championship win in 2008.
- Philly’s home-region advantage fueled some of the loudest crowd energy throughout the weekend.
- The level of athleticism and precision strategy continued to raise the bar for what WFTDA-level play could look like.
Notable Moments
- Several skaters from this tournament would go on to represent national teams in the 2011 World Cup.
- 2010 marked a turning point in how derby games were broadcast and shared, with online streaming reaching record viewership.
- “Uproar on the Lakeshore” introduced thousands of new fans to the sport thanks to social sharing and match replays.
Legacy of the 2010 Championship
This tournament solidified the rise of Rocky Mountain and elevated the competitive parity among the top leagues. No longer was there a single dominant team — the top five leagues were now all real threats. It also pushed WFTDA to refine game structure, penalties, and broadcast presentation for future years.
From the Archives
This 2010 WFTDA Championship Recap honors the legendary 2010 WFTDA Championship — a weekend of skill, strategy, and derby history. Originally covered live by Derby News Network.
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